would we want to have dinner at the white house?

scottreiner

scottreiner

scott reiner

Loading…

www.slate.com

the above links to an article whose opinion is that the bush white house simply served terrible wine that did not represent the bounty and depth that is american wine. so, i have gathered some past menus from white house dinners with the wine pairings. can we do better...? what would you have served? (keep in mind, all wines must be american...)

Ghana, September 15, 2006

Gratin of Maine Lobster
Late Summer Corn Pudding

Shafer Chardonnay "Red Shoulder" 2006

Whipped Sweet Potato
Creamed Spinach

Pride Mountain Merlot "Vintner Select" 2005

Roasted Red, Gold and White Baby Beets
Chicory and Blue-veined Cheese
Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Banana Coconut Pudding
Graham Cracker Crumble and Cocoa Pod Shell

Schramsberg "Crmant" 2004

China, OCTOBER 29, 1997

Chilled Lobster with Corn Leek Relish
Marinated Butternut Squash
LobsterTarragon Sauce

Cuvaison "Carneros" Chardonnay 1995 (California)

Pepper Crusted Oregon Beef
Yukon Gold Whipped Potatoes
Roasted Root Vegetables
Shallot Marmalade
Pinot Noir and Chanterelle Sauce

Ponzi "25th Anniversary" Pinot Noir 1995

Salad of Mache, Endive and Arugula
Tomato Asiago Custard
Balsamic and Chive Dressing

Orange Blossom Surprise
Pomegrante Sauce
Mandarin Tea Tartlet
Chocolate Tea Candy
Crystallized Ginger

(Oregon) Iron Horse Blanc de Blanc L.D. 1991 (California)

England, November 2, 2005

Celery Broth with Crispy Rock Shrimp

Newton Chardonnay "Unfiltered" 2002

Medallions of Buffalo Tenderloin
Roasted Corn
Wild Rice Pancakes
Glazed Parsnips and Young Carrots

Peter Michael Pinot Noir "Le Moulin Rouge" 2002

Mint Romaine Lettuce with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Vermont Camembert Cheese and Spiced Walnuts

Petits Fours Cake
Chartreuse Ice Cream
Red and Green Grape Sauce

Iron Horse "Wedding Cuve" 2002

National Governors Association, February 22, 2009

Chesapeake Crab Agnolottis with Roasted Sunchokes

Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California)

Wagyu Beef and Nantucket Scallops
Glazed Red Carrots, Portobello Mushroom and Creamed Spinach

Archery Summit Pinot Noir "Estate" 2004 (Oregon)
Salad:
Winter Citrus Salad with Pistachios and Lemon Honey Vinaigrette

Huckleberry Cobbler with Caramel Ice Cream

Black Star Farms "A Capella" Riesling Ice Wine 2007 (Michigan)

England, May 7, 2007

Spring Pea Soup with Fernleaf Lavender
Chive Pizzelle with American Caviar

Newton Chardonnay Unfiltered 2004

Dover Sole Almondine
Roasted Artichokes, Pequillo Peppers and Olives
Saddle of Spring Lamb
Chanterelle Sauce
Fricassee of Baby Vegetables

Peter Michael Les Pavots 2003

Arugula, Savannah Mustard
and Mint Romaine
Champagne Dressing and Trio of Farmhouse Cheeses
Rose Blossoms

Schramsberg Brut Rose 2004
 
Someone asked on Chowhound what wines were served in the White House before Clinton because she wanted to serve them as well and I dug around in Nexis and came up with this information:

Richard Nixon wrote an article for the Oct. 1, 1990, Forbes magazine in which he talked about wine. He loves Bordeaux, particularly first growths. Good luck finding those.
He also had this statement:
I used to put at the top of my list one of the finest wines in the world, Germany's Bernkasteler Doctor. I often served it at the White House. But in later years, I found it a bit too sweet for my taste.
Here's a few lines from a July 24, 1986, Los Angeles Times article:
Except for the Nixon presidency, it has been the practice since the Kennedy Administration, for the White House to serve American wines at official occasions. French Bordeaux and Champagne and German white wines appeared at the Nixon state dinners.

The policy of serving California wines predates Reagan. In the Carter years, the Executive Mansion served, at one time or another, wine from every wine-producing state, but primarily California wines and a New York Champagne at state dinners. Popular at the Reagan state dinners is California Schramsberg Champagne.

There's an Oct. 21, 1980, article in the Washington Post that says the Reagans served Mitterand a 1970 cabernet sauvignon, Freemark Abbey-Bosche, a 1950 Abudarham and a 1970 Chateau d'Yquem.

A June 1, 1984, Washington Post article said Reagan's favorite wine was Beaulieu's Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

There's also this article from the Aug. 16, 1981, New York Times:
Legh Knowles, B.V.'s president and an ardent yarn-spinner, tells stories of Prince Charles of England, Henry Kissinger, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and several inhabitants of the White House who have called the B.V. offices here in Rutherford to order the Georges de Latour Private Reserve. ''Beaulieu has been served to 10 Presidents, and that's not bad,'' he says.
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
I should add that I'm surprised at how small the White House wine collection is and how few ages bottles there are.
Click to expand...

Well, having seen Sarko's move to sell off much of the cellar that he inherited, perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised at the lack of an extensive cellar in the White House. Like it or not, a wine cellar still conveys an image of the landed aristocracy and runs counter to the populist image central to our political mythology. Couple with that the recent lineup of beer and spirits-drinking Presidents and you don't have much of an incentive to create a vast cellar. Nixon, BTW, was the President famous for serving his guests plonk while reserving the good stuff for himself.

Mark Lipton
 
Well, Schramsberg makes a pretty good sparkling wine. Other than that nothing excites me and some of the choices actively repel me.
 
originally posted by MLipton:
... having seen Sarko's move to sell off much of the cellar that he inherited ...
Click to expand...

Not to niggle, but I have to niggle. It was actually the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delano, who auctioned off a chunk of the city's wine from the Htel de Ville cellar. Kind of shocking, too, because he is more a "quality of life" mayor (think Vlib', Paris Plage, La Nuit Blanche, free wifi everywhere, etc.), whereas Sarko is a teetotaler.
 
originally posted by MLipton:
Like it or not, a wine cellar still conveys an image of the landed aristocracy and runs counter to the populist image central to our political mythology.
Click to expand...

Hey, wait a minute, I have a wine cellar.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
originally posted by MLipton:
... having seen Sarko's move to sell off much of the cellar that he inherited ...
Click to expand...

Not to niggle, but I have to niggle. It was actually the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delano, who auctioned off a chunk of the city's wine from the Htel de Ville cellar. Kind of shocking, too, because he is more a "quality of life" mayor (think Vlib', Paris Plage, La Nuit Blanche, free wifi everywhere, etc.), whereas Sarko is a teetotaler.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know about the Mairie de Paris debacle, Sharon, but correct me (as I know you will) if I'm wrong: didn't Sarko threaten to do exactly the same when he took office? I note that a cursory Google doesn't support this idea, so perhaps it was just a fever dream.

Mark Lipton
 
The Clinton White House served one of my Syrahs a couple of times, back in '97. At the same meal they served a Fisher Chardonnay. From what I hear those dinners aren't that much fun.
 
Forgetting palate preferences of the HIWC the selections make a reasonable degree of sense. It's not like they are going to put a lot of work into the process of selecting wines that are going to be casually tossed off before Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing hit the dance floor.
 
originally posted by David M. Bueker:
It's not like they are going to put a lot of work into the process of selecting wines that are going to be casually tossed off before Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing hit the dance floor.
Click to expand...

Oh Jed, oh Abby, you dance divinely.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Perhaps not, but I'm available nonetheless. Never been to D.C. Can I bring a bottle?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think BYO is the way to go if I'm ever invited. Anyone know the corkage fee?
 
originally posted by scottreiner:
would we want to have dinner at the white house?http://www.slate.com/id/2208229/pagenum/all/#p2

the above links to an article whose opinion is that the bush white house simply served terrible wine that did not represent the bounty and depth that is american wine. so, i have gathered some past menus from white house dinners with the wine pairings. can we do better...? what would you have served? (keep in mind, all wines must be american...)

Ghana, September 15, 2006

Gratin of Maine Lobster
Late Summer Corn Pudding

Shafer Chardonnay "Red Shoulder" 2006
Click to expand...

Probably pick a Westport (from Mass) chard with the New England theme here.
 
originally posted by MLipton:
Yes, I know about the Mairie de Paris debacle, Sharon, but correct me (as I know you will) if I'm wrong: didn't Sarko threaten to do exactly the same when he took office? I note that a cursory Google doesn't support this idea, so perhaps it was just a fever dream.
Click to expand...

Mark, you're not wrong at all. There was a buzz and a flap (quite the hullabaloo, no?) at the time of Sarkozy's election, with many saying he would unload the state cellars for fast cash, videmment. So far, though, he hasn't.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top